Extension stepladder



EXTENS I ON STEPLADDER Filed May i5. 1925 Patented Nov. 11, 1924i.

btiTfl@ STAS rsa EITENSION STEPLADDER.

appneation tied May i5, i923.

. To all Iwlw/m, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMILio CARDARELLI, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Extension `Stepladders, of which the following is a specification.

This invent-ion relates to combined step and extension ladders.

Principal objects of the invention are to provide a ladder' of the type specified which, while light in weight, is very stiff and strong whether employed as a step or extension ladder; to provide locking means of simple and reliable character for holding the ladder sec-k tions in relatively adjusted position; to provide an improved connection between the ladder sections permitting them freely to swing to forni a step ladder' and constituting a brace when the sections are extended.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which,-

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the ladder positioned for use as a step ladder;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the ladder arranged as in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section showing .the parts in position to constitute an extension ladder;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3, and g Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

The front or main section of the ladder is indicated at 1. This front section comprises the side rails 2, 3 supporting the steps 4. Preferably the side rails 2, 3, converge toward the yupper end of the section. The upper step 5 of thefront section is preferably wider than the others as is usual in step ladder construction.

A hinge device is securedto one of the upper steps of the front section, as' for example the step 4a. This hinge device c omprises the fixed leaf 6 secured in any desired manner to the under side of the step 4a. A swinging leaf 7 is secured to the ixedleaf by means of a pintle pin 8. This swinging leaf is provided with spaced rearwardly eX- tending members 9, 10 which are furnished with the inwardly directed portions 11, 12

Serial No. 639,102.

respectively, thus constituting a guide for 4herear or extension section 13 of the lad This-extension section comprises the substantially parallel side rails 14, 15 which support'the steps 16. A locking device 17 is secured to thelower part of the section 13. This locking device preferably comprises a metallic rod bent to bail-like form and pivotally connected at its end portions to the respective side rails 14, 15. member 17 is adapted to overlie a step of the front section of the ladder and its middle portion is bent as indicated at 18 to engage the front edge of such step, thereby securely7 This locking holding it in position. As the side rails of the rear section slide freely in the guide carried by the swinging leaf of the hinge device, it is possible to extend the rear section as indicated in Fig. 3 to anydesired degree, the bail-like locking device being engaged with a selected step of the front section .to retain the parts in adjusted position.

Preferably the swinging leaf 7 of the hinge device is furnished with a forwardly projecting stop 72L which is engageable with the under surface of the fixed leaf 6 to limit movement of the swinging leaf in one direction. Thus when the section 13 is fully e s tended any tendency to swing such section rearwardly about its lower end as an axis is resisted by such stop device.

The uppermost step of the rear section 13 is preferably provided .with a swinging arm' or bracket 19 secured to the under surface o-f the step by means of a bolt 20. lThis bracket normally lies below the uppermost step of the extension section, but when desired may be swung at right angles thereto as indicated in dotted line in Fig. This bracket terminates in a` hook 21 in which a bucket oi' other utensil may be hung. As this hooked bracket is carried by the rear section it is available for use whether the parts are disposed to forni a step ladder or an extension ladder.

Stop members 22, 23 are carried by the side rails 14, 15 respectively at a point above the uppermost step 16. These stop elements preferably consist of screws inserted from the inner sides of the respective rails and projecting laterally therefrom to such a. distance that when the extension member is drawn downwardly, the screws overlap and contact with the elements 9, 10 respectively ot the swinging guide.y thus limitingv downward movementof the extension section. These screws may, however, be retracted sui:- [iciently to permit complete downward withdrawal of such section vfrom the: guide., i1p desired.

The Jfront section of the ladder is provided with a pair of substantially parallel elongate (ixed guide rails 24e, 25, secured to its rear side. These rails project rearwardly and are furnished with inwardly directed portions 26, 9,7, respectively, thus providingy a pair of parallel oppositely disposed `guide channels extending longitudinallyv oi the front section of the ladder. These guide channels are adapted for the reception respectively of laterally projecting lugs 28. 29 at the lower part ot the rear section il?? of the ladder. These lugs conveniently consistfof the projecting;` ends of the hail-like locking device 17, although lugs of other torni or construction may be employed it desired. The guide rails 24. 25 Iterminate at a point short of the lower end of the front section of the yladder so that upon swinging the ladder sections into substantial parallelism the lugs 28, 291mm he entered within the respective. Guide channels. is the rear or extension sect-ion of the ladder is moved upwardly these lugs yslide within the rchannels so that the lower end of the ladder is prevented from swinging rearwardly relatively to the front section. while the engagement of the lugs with the inemeers 97 l() limits the upward movement ot the rear section. The ladder sections are thus veiy securely held in substantial parallelism when extended so that an extremely stit' construction is provided without increasing the weight of the ladder to any substantial degree.

l claim:

l. A ladder of the class described having a it'ront section having; a hinge device secured thereto, said hinge device comprising' a swiinzgingleal provided with a guide. a. rear section slidingn in said guide, and a stop carried by the swinging` leaf and en- Aojaireahle with a lined part ot the trontsection to limit movement of said leall with its guide.

2. A ladder ot the class described coinprising' a front section having steps, a` hinge devicesecured to an upper step of said section. the hinge having;- a swinging; leaf provided with a` stop engageable with the under side or' said upper step to limit swinging;` movement ot the swinging` lealA in `one direction.` a guide carried hy said swingingleal:j a rear ladder section sliding in the guide and a locking member earriedhy the rear section and engageahle with steps ot the front section to hold the sections in selec-ted positions oit adjustment.

Signed hy `me at Boston, lilassachusetis. this twelfth day of May. 1923.

EMILK) CARDARELL. 

